[Exclusive] Crisis in Youth Mental Health: Seoul Steps Up Suicide Prevention Measures

More than 4 out of 10 young adults in Seoul have experienced thoughts of wanting to die, according to a recent survey.

On May 15, The Asia Business Daily exclusively obtained the "Research Report on the Status Analysis of Youth Suicide in Seoul and Solutions," which details the causes of youth suicide and possible solutions. The research was conducted by the Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation of Korea University, which carried out an online survey from April 24 to May 6 last year targeting 1,500 men and women aged 19 to 39 residing in Seoul.

The survey found that 44.1% of all respondents answered that they had experienced thoughts of wanting to die. When asked about the most recent time they had such thoughts, 36.4% said it had been less than three months, making this the largest group. This was followed by “over three months but less than one year” (19.2%), “over four years” (18.0%), “over one year but less than two years” (13.1%), and “over two years but less than three years” (7.3%).

7.9% of all respondents said they had specifically planned suicide at some point. Regarding the most recent time they had made such a plan, the highest proportion (27.7%) said it was within the last three months, followed by “over three months but less than one year” (22.7%), “over one year but less than two years” (20.2%), and “over four years” (19.3%).

3.9% of all respondents reported having attempted suicide at least once. When asked about the most recent time they had attempted suicide, 39.7% answered that it had been more than four years ago. This was followed by “over one year but less than two years” (17.2%), “over three months but less than one year” (15.5%), and “over three years but less than four years” (12.1%).

Common Suicide Causes: Depression, Debt, Relationship Issues

The researchers also analyzed the causes of suicide among young adults aged 18 to 39 in Seoul from 2013 to 2020 using data from the Korea Suicide Prevention Center. During this period, a total of 4,408 young people died by suicide. The main causes were mental health issues (43.1%), followed by economic problems (20.3%), interpersonal relationship issues (9.9%), and work-related issues (9.7%).

A closer look at mental health issues revealed that “depression” accounted for the largest proportion, while among economic problems, “debt” was identified as the most serious factor. For interpersonal relationship issues, problems related to romantic partners were the most prevalent.

This study also included in-depth interviews with five isolated or reclusive youths and three individuals who had attempted suicide, categorized as high-risk groups. The interviews confirmed that the environmental background prior to young adulthood had a significant influence on their suicide-related experiences during youth.

Isolated or reclusive young people were found to have experienced difficult family environments during adolescence and lacked appropriate protection in public settings such as schools. The interviews also highlighted calls for policy measures to strengthen employment-related welfare to support the social reintegration of high-risk youth.

Examining suicide mortality trends from 2000 to 2023, the rate was lowest in 2000 at 11.1 per 100,000 people. In 2009, in the aftermath of the financial crisis, the rate peaked at 27.9 per 100,000 people.

Suicide Rates Differ Across Seoul Districts

Looking at suicide rates across Seoul’s 25 districts over the past 20 years, men in Gangbuk-gu, Dongdaemun-gu, and Jungnang-gu recorded higher suicide rates than the city average. In Gwanak-gu, the male suicide rate increasingly exceeded the city average over time.

For women, Gangnam-gu, Gwanak-gu, and Dobong-gu showed higher suicide rates than the Seoul average as time passed. In Gangnam-gu, from 2012 to 2017 and from 2018 to 2023, the female suicide rate was the highest among all districts. In contrast, Seocho-gu showed a trend of decreasing female suicide rates compared to the city average over time.

Among Seoul’s 25 districts, 15 are currently implementing youth suicide prevention policies. Notably, Dongjak-gu is operating separate programs for vulnerable groups such as Noryangjin exam takers, in addition to general youth suicide prevention initiatives.

“Efforts Intensify to Lower Suicide Rate”

According to the “Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Plan” announced by Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2024, the city has set a goal to reduce the suicide rate by more than 50% by 2030, bringing it down to the OECD average. As of 2023, Seoul’s suicide rate was 23.3 per 100,000 people—lower than the national average of 27.3, but still much higher than the OECD average of 10.7. In 2024, Seoul’s suicide rate is 24.1, the lowest compared to the national average of 29.1, and the city is actively pursuing a variety of measures to prevent youth suicide.

The researchers formed an advisory group with 14 experts in medicine, psychology, law, nursing, and other fields, held meetings, and proposed youth-led suicide prevention programs and campaigns. Suggested programs included: ▲ establishing a platform for sharing stories of youth suicide survivors and bereaved families ▲ expanding youth suicide prevention supporter programs ▲ supporting the activation of youth self-help groups.

At the "100-Person Forum for Youth Suicide Prevention in Seoul" held in July last year, one proposal was to provide welfare points to isolated and reclusive youth for completing a five-stage volunteer program tailored to their level. Another idea was to create both online and offline “gukbap restaurants” (community spaces) to offer a place to share personal stories. Additional suggestions included operating a mobile 24-hour mental health emergency bus for young people, and providing an emotional monitoring service to help maintain connections with at-risk youth.

The research team stated, “Fundamental solutions to suicide can only be achieved when policies in housing, education, welfare, and finance are integrated,” adding, “It is important to include various welfare policies when discussing suicide prevention.” They further emphasized, “Currently, welfare and mental health services for young people are provided in a fragmented manner. It is crucial to consolidate information and establish a youth-centered delivery system for information and services.”

If you are struggling with depression or other difficult feelings, or if you have family or friends facing such challenges, please call the suicide prevention hotline at ☎109 or contact the SNS counseling service Madeul-Lan (an online friend who listens to your heart) for professional help, available 24 hours a day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.